Earnings Per Share - Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 8.6	$ 13.7	$ 59.5	$ 82.8
Cash dividends	(24.8)	(24.7)	(74.0)	(73.8)
Undistributed net income (loss) attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ (16.2)	$ (11.0)	$ (14.5)	$ 9.0